The park's clean cabins and shiny new villas are ideal for those in search of something a little bit fancy.

We stayed in the three-bedroom Curlewis Villa, the latest addition to Beacon.

It's modern, with a fully equipped open-plan kitchen.

My wife was impressed by the cutlery, notably the sharp new knives, pointing out that "it's a bonus to find quality tools in a foreign kitchen".

To do in the park

There are excellent barbecue facilities around the villas and park, a camp kitchen and games and movie rooms. Once you get a sniff of the villas and home entertainment facilities, you'll be tempted to grab a bunch of DVDs from reception and kick back indoors.

There is an adventure playground, undercover heated pool and spa ideal for rainy days, a whopper jumping pillow and a full-sized asphalt tennis court.

Things to do nearby

If the weather permits, hire a bike and helmet from the front office and pump those pedals on a great track hugging the peninsula foreshore. Queenscliff attractions include the music festival (qmf.net.au), dolphin and sunset cruises (gamerec.com), and the Blues Train (thebluestrain.com.au).

On the latter, some of Australia's best blues musos perform on a steam train as you enjoy a feed in one of the four carriages.

There is also Fort Queenscliff, some great cafes and restaurants in town and obviously a beaut beach.

Downers

It's no big deal, but keep in mind that BIG4 Beacon Resort is not in the heart of Queenscliff.

However, to get there is just a 15-minute walk.

The damage

The powered camping and caravan sites range from $40 to $129 a night ($4 an extra person). The House is from $193 to $340, Curlewis Villa ($225-$390), Port Phillip Villa (from $173-$305), Lonsdale Villa ($163-$287) and cabins range from $130 (one bedroom) up to $287 (three bedrooms).